Assault Reported At Detention Center

FORT LAUDERDALE — A 4-year-old boy was the victim of an alleged sexual battery by a teen-ager while in the custody of state officials, according to police reports.

The incident occurred after the child was placed in the Broward County Juvenile Detention Center`s crisis unit because his mother was hospitalized and could not care for him, Fort Lauderdale police said.

Fort Lauderdale police were called to the center on March 16 after receiving a report that a 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy had been fighting.

The boys had been placed in the crisis unit, a separate part of the building where children who have not committed crimes are waiting for foster or shelter care placement or a court hearing.

The 15-year-old told the officer that the fight started when he saw the 13- year-old trying to sexually abuse the young child.

The 4-year-old confirmed that the older boy had asked him to perform a sexual act and had exposed himself, the report stated.